Problems after someone tried to steal my truck

02CHEVY

MEMBER
2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
250,000 MILES

Recently I had someone break into my truck he didn’t hot wire it; no wires were split but he did jam a screwdriver into my ignition switch to try and turn it. Also, he broke my hazard light. The problems I’m having now are:

Steering problem (vehicle jolts when turning, feels like I’m popping a curb every time I turn the wheel).

Blinker signals acting up (right blinker signal turns on but doesn’t blink hazard switch is funky I took the replacement out and am going to get a new one to see if that fixes it.

Pressing brake supplies power to entire vehicle (but when I turn the right blinker signal on it doesn’t do that). I can also take the key out of the truck but if I’m still holding the brake, it still runs until I release the brake.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

It sounds like we have more damage to the steering column. So, I suggest we start with one of these issues and fix it and if that fixes the rest then that is great. If not, then we will move onto the next.

So, let's start with the steering issue because that is the most serious.

It sounds like this issue is the steering shaft or column was damaged so let's just lift the front end and operate the steering with no load. It should still do it if the column is the issue as that does not care what load is on the tires.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

So, this means I think we are taking the column apart and finding the cause of the thump while turning.

I am attaching a diagram and how to remove the trim covers which is where to start.

Basically, we are looking for dented column tube or shaft and pinched wiring harnesses.

Please run through this info and let me know what you find.

Thanks

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